10Trax: Finally, James Blake is back!

As that one meme that keeps popping up on my Instagram discover insists on telling me, somehow it is still January. NYE feels like a lifetime ago, especially when it comes to new music. Can you believe that there entire ‘Justin Timberlake is a country robot man now and also hasn’t really said anything about that new Woody Allen film he’s in’ saga has only been going on for four weeks? What a month. Anyway here’s some new music to distract yourself from the continued collapse of western civilisation (as is well documented in JT’s second to most recent music video actually).

The Fall – ‘Theme From Sparta FC’

The British music world said goodbye to one of the most distinct icons it’s ever had this week. Shamefully I never delved too deep into Mark E. Smith and co’s vast back catalogue but ‘Theme From Sparta FC’ epitomises their snarling, tongue in cheek brand of post-punk perfectly.

James Blake – ‘If The Car Beside You Moves Ahead’

From one UK innovator to another, James Blake’s first new music in two years manages to be both wildly experimental and comfortingly familiar in the way that only Blake can manage. Did you spot that 1-800-Dinosaur billboard in the video as well? God knows what he’s going to bring when he supports Kendrick at the O2 next month, but it’s going to incredible.

slowthai – ‘T N Biscuits’

slowthai is why your mum doesn’t like you listening to rap music and new single ‘T N Biscuits’ is onl further proof of that. Bump this at all your satanic grime raves this weekend.

M.O, Lotto Boyzz & Mr Eazi – ‘Bad Vibe’

There might be a bit much going on this one but there’s no point denying it, Mr Eazi is an unstoppable hit machine.

Joe James – ‘Too Many Bruddas’

The music journalists association would like to offer their heartfelt apologies for sleeping so heavily on Joe James until now. Who is this man, where did he come from and is it just a big mountain made of bars? Because this is insane.

Mabel – ‘Fine Line ft. Not3s’

If it wasn’t for the sneaky dembow underpinning the whole song, ‘Fine Line’ could easily pass for a mid-2000s pop R&B banger. This is also a great reminder of how far Not3s has come since ‘Addison Lee’.

Nils Frahm – ‘All Melody’

Apologies for the dramatic shift in tone but there’s not much that easily segues into Nils Frahm, other than, well more Nils Frahm. His new album All Melody dropped today, and it’s a masterpiece of ambient intensity. Even if you’re not usually into electronic or ambient music, there’s enough going on in the title track alone to keep you hooked.

Jack White – ‘Corporation’

Ok so at this point it seems safe to say the Jack White’s new album is going to be like a bluegrass version of the Parliament-Funkadelic back catalogue. Honestly, I’m here for it.

Maleek Berry – ‘Pon My Mind’

This your weekly reminder that alongside Mr Eazi, Maleek Berry has been doing the autotuned afrobeats thing for years.

Azekel – ‘Family (Chapter 1)’

Azekel is releasing is debut album in three chapters, released one by one until now the album’s full release. Chapter 1, ‘Family’ includes the three most recent singles from the album in a stunningly shot video directed by Kojey Radical and Little Simz collaborator The Rest.

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